Linda Carlton, Air Pilot

by Edith Lavell

  CHAPTER III

  _Her Father's Gift_

  As Linda had no plans for the day after her class exercises, she hadintended to sleep late. But the arrival of her chum, Louise Haydock,accompanied by Ralph Clavering and his Harvard room-mate, MauriceStetson, changed things for her.

  At half-past eight her aunt came into her bedroom, half apologetically,half smiling.

  "Linda dear, I want you to wake up," she said. "You have company."

  "Yes?" replied the girl sleepily.

  "You are rested, aren't you? And it's so much cooler. It's a real Juneday--the kind the poets write about!"

  Linda sat up in bed, and blinked her eyes. Then suddenly she thought ofher father. Did Aunt Emily mean he had come?

  "Daddy?" she asked excitedly. "Do you mean he's here?"

  Miss Carlton's smile faded; she had not meant to mislead her niece. Itwas cruel to disappoint her.

  "No, dear. It's only Louise--with Ralph and another boy. They want youto wake up, and go on the picnic."

  "Oh, I see.... But you know I didn't invite anybody, Aunt Emily."

  "That's just it. You're to go with this other boy. He's Ralph'sroom-mate, and he's here on a visit. You will go, won't you, dear?"

  "Yes, of course, if Lou wants me to. I'll get dressed right away....And Auntie, may I have some strawberries up here, to eat after I takemy shower? That's all the breakfast I'll want."

  "Certainly, dear. I'll send Anna up right away. And how soon shall Itell Louise that you'll be ready?"

  "Ten minutes!"

  Linda jumped out of bed, and began to sing as she took her cold shower.It was a wonderful day--a good world after all! Of course the picnicwould be fun; she was glad now that she wasn't going to miss it. Louwas a peach to arrange things for her in this way! And it would beexciting to meet a new man. She wondered what he would be like, andhoped she would find him nice. But, even if she didn't, it wouldn't benecessary to stay with him all day. There wasn't much "two's-ing" intheir crowd.

  Ten minutes later she found her visitors on the porch, singing andamusing themselves, for Miss Carlton had gone to oversee the packing ofLinda's lunch. Ralph introduced his friend, Maurice Stetson, a short,light-haired youth, who was utterly at ease with everybody, and whoseemed to think that he was born to be funny. Indeed, he called himself"the prince of wise-crackers." Linda, who was both sensitive and shy,was afraid she would be made uncomfortable by his comments.

  "Miss _Linda_ Carlton," he repeated, solemnly shaking her hand. "Thefamous Lindy's namesake?... Let's see--what year was that when he flewthe Atlantic? About twenty-seven? Why, you can't be more than threeyears old!"

  Linda smiled; she really couldn't laugh at the silly remark, though theothers seemed to think him exceedingly witty.

  "And is your ambition flying?" he asked.

  Linda blushed; she had no desire to admit her dreams and ambitions tothe general public.

  "Doesn't everybody want to fly now-a-days?" she countered.

  "Not your uncle Maurice!" replied the youth, gravely. "My dad gave me aplane, and I wrecked it. I'm through! My flying almost took me to theangels!"

  "What's this?" interrupted Miss Carlton, coming out on the porch with ahamper of lunch for the picnic. "You've been in an airplane accident?"

  "And how!" he replied, feelingly.

  "Now you see, Linda! You better not go over to that field again! I'm soafraid of planes!"

  "All right, Aunt Emily," replied the girl, graciously. "You needn'tworry today, anyhow. We're going to the picnic in cars."

  But, had Miss Carlton seen Maurice Stetson behind the wheel of hisyellow sports roadster, hitting seventy-five miles an hour, and all thewhile keeping up a conversation not only with Linda beside him, butwith the couple in the rumble-seat as well, she would not have felt sosatisfied.

  Nevertheless, nothing happened, and the picnic promised to be lots offun. The girls had selected a beautiful wooded spot outside of thecity, where a lovely stream widened into a small lake, deep enough forswimming.

  Most of the others had already arrived in their cars, when Louise'sparty drove up. Two large tents, on opposite sides of the lake, hadbeen set up early in the morning for bath-houses.

  "Everybody into their suits!" cried Sara Wheeler, who seemed to bemanaging the picnic, because her mother was the chaperon. "First oneinto the water gets a prize!"

  "Then I get it, without even trying," remarked Harriman Smith, a niceboy, and a particular friend of Linda's, "because I have mine on now! Igot dressed in it this morning, and carried my other clothing."

  "Lazy brute!" exclaimed Maurice, enviously, wishing that he had thoughtof such a labor-saving device.

  In fifteen minutes the whole crowd were in the water, diving andswimming, and ducking each other, and finally dividing off into sidesfor a game of water-polo. It was only when they actually smelled thesteaks that Mrs. Wheeler's cooks were broiling, that they were finallyinduced to leave the lake and get dressed.

  A treasure-hunt through the woods was the program for the afternoon.Linda, who had expected to be coupled with Maurice Stetson for thisevent, was agreeably surprised to find herself with Ralph Clavering.Louise's doing, in all probability! No doubt she guessed that her chumdid not care for Maurice.

  They walked along slowly, keeping their eyes on the ground for allpossible clews, chatting at intervals about the class-day and theusual gossip, and now and then, when they met other couples, stoppingto compare notes. Finally Ralph spoke about his plans for the summermonths.

  "I'm hoping to persuade your aunt to go to Green Falls with us, Linda,"he said. "There will be quite a bunch of us together. Dot Crowley, Sue,Sally Wheeler, and of course Lou and Kit--from your sorority, and someof the boys from our frat, besides several from Spring City. HarrySmith's going to get a job as a life-guard, and Maurice has promised togo. We ought to be able to make whoopee, all right!"

  "Sounds good," admitted Linda, absently.

  "Yes, and I really think we could pull off some serious work there."

  "Serious work?" repeated Linda. As far as she knew, Ralph had neverdone any real work in his life.

  "Yeah. In the competitions, I mean. I think if we go after it tooth andnail, you and I'd make a pretty good team to pull down the cup for thetennis doubles. They have a big meet at the end of the season that'sthe talk of the whole Great Lakes region.... And Sally swings a meanclub in golf. And look at Louise's diving!"

  "Yes, that's true," agreed Linda. She had always liked golf and tennisand swimming, but somehow this year they had all lost their charm. Itwas different after you graduated, she decided. Then you wanted to makesomething out of your life--like Ted Mackay. There was no more time tobe wasted.

  "Promise me you'll go," begged Ralph, leaning over eagerly and puttinghis hand on her arm.

  Instinctively she drew it away, but before she could answer, Louise andMaurice appeared from a cross-path that was hidden by tall bushes.

  "Why, there's my little Lindy!" cried Maurice, though Linda was severalinches taller than he was. "Grieving for papa?"

  "Shedding tears," laughed Linda. But the words made her think of herown father, and she grew sober. Suppose he were home now--waiting forher! He never stayed more than a day; how she would hate to miss him!

  "Has anybody found the treasure yet?" she inquired.

  "I've found _two_ treasures," replied Maurice complacently, lookingfirst at Louise and then at Linda.

  "Forget it!" commanded Louise, tersely, lifting her head. She, likeLinda, was tall, but in that the resemblance ended. Her dark, sleekhair was short and almost straight, and she wore earrings--even inswimming. She said she felt undressed without them--"practicallyimmodest," were her exact words.

  "No, but really--?" persisted Linda.

  A wild shout from Dot Crowley, followed by a chorus of "Whoopee!" fromhalf a dozen others, answered Linda's question immediately. Dot alwayswas lucky. The others ran to the spot where the crowd was gathered,and Dot, a tiny, vivacious blonde,
who could take child's parts in theamateur plays, was holding two boxes of golf balls triumphantly up toview.

  "Do I have to give one box to that lazy kid?" she demanded, pointingscornfully at her long-legged partner, Jim Valier, who had beenlanguidly following her around. At the time when she had discovered theprize, he was lolling under a tree, resting his "weary bones," as hesaid, smoking a cigarette.

  "Sure you do!" he drawled. "Didn't I supply the brains to our combine?"

  "Brains!" repeated Dot. "Where did you get 'em? I'll have to have youarrested for stealing 'em, if that's the case! But here--take your box!"

  "Couldn't possibly," he said, waving them aside with his cigaretteholder. "Besides, I hardly ever play golf. Too fatiguing."

  "How about your school-girl figure?" asked Maurice. "Aren't you afraidif you don't exercise, you'll lose it?"

  Everybody, even Linda, laughed, for Jim Valier was about the world'sthinnest youth.

  "He's really afraid somebody will mistake him for a golf-stick, andbang a ball with him," remarked Ralph.

  In groups, and some in pairs, the whole crowd went back to the lake.After all that exercise and excitement, everybody wanted another dipto cool off. It was six o'clock by the time they all piled into theircars, and half-past when Linda reached home.

  Hoping to find her father, as she had been hoping every day thatweek, she dashed up the steps quickly, merely waving good-by toher companions as the sports car shot from the driveway. And then,miraculously, she saw his beloved face at the door!

  "Daddy!" she cried rapturously, rushing breathlessly into his arms.

  He was taller than Linda, with a straight, lithe figure like that ofa much younger man. His hair was dark, with just a little gray at thetemples, and his skin deeply tanned from his out-door life. A sort ofhabitual smile played about his lips, as if he had made up his mind tofind life pleasant, no matter what came.

  "My dear little girl!" he said, quietly, patting her hair. "Will youforgive me for coming a day too late? Your Aunt Emily tells me thatboth Commencement and class-day are over--and you are an old Grad now!"

  "Yes, but I don't mind, Daddy, so long as you came today!" she replied,squeezing his hand. "Maybe it's better this way, because I've been sorushed lately that I wouldn't have had much time to see you."

  "You must tell me all about everything," he said, drawing her armthrough his, and leading her down the steps of the porch. Of coursehe thought he meant what he said, but Linda knew from experience thatif she did tell him, he wouldn't be listening. A dreamy expression sooften came into his eyes when she chattered, and she would wonder whathe was thinking of. Strange lands--or his ranch out west--or perhapsher mother?

  "Where are we going?" she asked. "I really ought to dress for dinner,Daddy. You know what picnics are."

  "Yes, To be sure. But I want to show you your graduation present."

  "My present?" There was excitement in her tone; it was sure to besomething wonderful--and unusual. All the girls were wild with envywhen Kitty Clavering received a real pearl necklace from her father.All--except Linda. She had no desire for pearls, or for any jewelry,for that matter. She had known that her father's present would be muchmore thrilling. At least--if he didn't forget!

  "You didn't think your old Dad would forget you, did you, Honey?" heasked.

  "No--no--of course not.... But, Daddy, where is it? Why are we goingout back of the house?"

  "We have to walk over to our big field across the creek," he explained,mysteriously.

  "The big field? Why?... That's a hot walk, Daddy. No shade at all!If you want a nice walk, we ought to go in the other direction, downtowards the orchard, where there are some trees."

  "Trees are the one thing we don't want," he replied, solemnly. "You'regoing to hate trees, after you get my present, daughter."

  "Hate--trees?" Linda's eyes were traveling all over the landscape,scanning it in vain for a clew. And then, as they mounted a slightincline, the thing came into sight. The marvelous, wonderful present!Too good to be true! Her heart stopped beating, her legs shook. Sheclutched at her father for support.

  A beautiful, shining airplane! A superb Arrow Sport! The very kind shehad been reading about, had been longing some day to possess! And evena hangar, to keep it in safety!

  "Daddy!" she gasped, hoarsely.

  He was watching her face, rapturously.

  "You like it?"

  "Oh!" she cried, wrapping her arms around his neck, and suddenlybursting into tears. "How could you know that I wanted it so much?"

  He patted her hair, a little embarrassed by her emotion.

  "I just tried to imagine what I would want most if I were your age....You know, dear, you're your father's own girl! You look like yourmother, but you're much more like me.... A strange mixture...." He wastalking more to himself now, for Linda was almost running, pulling himalong excitedly. "Feminine beauty--with masculine ambition...."

  But Linda was not listening. She had reached the plane now, and waswalking around it, enthralled. Touching its smooth surface, to makesure that it was not only a dream. Dashing back to hug her father,and then climbing into the cockpit, to examine the controls, theinstruments, the upholstery. If she lived to be a hundred years old, noother moment could hold greater happiness than this!

  Her father smiled softly in satisfaction. He wanted her to have allthe happiness that he had somehow missed. Money couldn't buy it forhim; but money spent for his daughter could bring it to him in the onlypossible way now.

  "You're not a bit afraid?" he asked, though he knew from her shiningeyes that his question was unnecessary.

  "Dad!"

  "And now the question is, who can teach you to fly? Unfortunately, theman who brought it here for me couldn't stay, even to explain things toyou--although of course there is a booklet. But I understand there's anair school here at Spring City...."

  "Yes! Yes!" she interrupted. "I've been there--been up with one of theinstructors. Can we drive over for him tonight?"

  "My dear, you can't take a lesson at night," he reminded her. "You knowthat."

  "Oh, of course not!" she agreed, laughing at her own folly. "Buttomorrow?"

  "Yes, certainly. At least we can see about it. You have to pass aphysical examination first, I understand."

  "And I want to take the regular commercial pilot's course, Daddy! Iwant to go to the bottom, and learn all about planes, and flying. MayI?"

  "I don't see why not.... You needn't stop for the expense."

  Linda blushed; she hadn't been thinking of the expense--she never did.But perhaps she ought to now, for the plane must have cost a lot ofmoney. At the present, however, something else was worrying her.

  "It was the time I was thinking of," she admitted. "Aunt Emily wantsto go away in a week or so. And oh, Dad, I just couldn't bear to leavethis!" There were actually tears in her eyes.

  "Of course not, dear. Well, we'll see if we can't compromise withyour aunt. Stay at home the rest of June and July, be content with aprivate pilot's license for the present, and then go away _in_ yourplane in August. Wouldn't that suit you?"

  "To the ground--I mean to the skies!" corrected the happy girl.

  "And now we must get back to dinner," he reminded her. "Aunt Emily'swaiting."

  Solemnly, tenderly, as a mother might kiss her baby, Linda leaned overand kissed the beautiful plane. Then giving her hand to her father,she walked back to the house with him in silence, knowing that now hergreatest dream was fulfilled.